Coast Guard and local agencies respond to Barataria Bay oil discharge

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard, in coordination with other state and local agencies, have completed cleanup operations in Barataria Bay following the release of crude oil from a pipeline.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received notification at approximately 7 a.m., Saturday, that a pipeline owned by Plains All American Pipeline released approximately 150-200 barrels of oil. The pipeline runs just north of Grand Terre and Grand Isle in Barataria Bay.

A unified command was established and mobilized assets to respond to the incident. ES & H and OMI were contracted as the oil spill response organizations.

A total of 29,000 feet of containment boom was put into place in order to minimize the potential for further environmental impacts to the area.

A total of 2,800 gallons of oily liquids and 48 yards of oily sorbent debris have been recovered. There is no recoverable oil remaining.

The unified command consists of representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, Plains All American Pipeline, LOSCO, LADEQ and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

“Outstanding teamwork among federal, state, local authorities and Plains Pipeline ensured we minimized impact to the environment, and that we coordinated a thorough and expeditious cleanup operation,” said Capt. Peter Gautier, commander of Sector New Orleans.

No injuries and no impacts to wildlife were reported. There are also no reports of impacted shoreline along Grand Isle.